The Post reported that Hornets Vice President Joshua Richardson said he had mistakenly taken the bag with the gun, which belonged to his wife, instead of his own.

New York Port Authority police told The Post that TSA officials learned of the slip-up on Friday night, when Richardson tried to fly back to New Orleans with the .38-caliber gun still packed in his luggage.

Richardson was booked with one count of criminal possession of a weapon. He was expected to be released on his own recognizance, according to The Post.

The TSA released the following statement to WVUE-TV on Saturday morning:

"The Transportation Security Administration screens checked baggage for threats to aircraft security, such as improvised explosive devices and their components. Firearms and firearm components are not prohibited in checked baggage but do need to be properly declared and packed. Firearms transported in checked baggage must be unloaded, locked in a hard-sided container and declared by the passenger to the airline during the ticket counter check-in process."

Richardson’s job responsibilities include broadcasting and event presentation for the Hornets.